Correcting Fraternally

Our Lord outlines for us one of the most important disciplines that Catholics and all Christians should take to heart: fraternal correction. In a society where many people lack moral courage, the authentic practice of fraternal correction is more urgent than ever.

Our society cringes at the thought of confrontation or contradiction for fear of “offending” another person or seeming “judgmental.” In some cases, so many people have lost a sense of sin that they become unable to clearly recognize evil. In other instances, there is simple indifference to sin itself.

The Gospel mandate for fraternal correction expresses Jesus’ desire for us to fight against the aforementioned tendencies. It should be noted, however, that Our Lord does not prescribe fraternal correction just so we can find a Gospel-endorsed reason to seek confrontations or to judge another person’s state of soul or whether or not the person will be saved (the definition of true “judgmentalism”). Rather, Our Lord mandates that we owe each other, as a matter of justice, the charitable act of correcting each other out of love for God and the salvation of the soul of the person who has committed a wrongdoing or shown a lack of good judgment.

The prescripts for fraternal correction are very clear. First, Jesus reminds us to approach the transgressor alone in an attempt to point out the sin, and with a desire to win the sinner over to Christ. Simply winning the argument or making the best case for the correction is not the object of fraternal correction. Instead, assisting in the conversion of the sinner and aiding him to know Christ is the main goal.

If the offending person does not listen, one or two other people should be invited to participate in the correction. In this way, the sinner cannot simply claim that the correcting party is trying to “single them out.” If others perceive the same sin and resulting problems, this testimony along with the original claim carries more weight.

If the second level of correction proves unfruitful, the case should be taken for judgment by the Church. If that also proves unsuccessful, the person should be removed from participation in the community until he repents of his sin.

In other words, there is no absolute mandate that offending parties should be allowed to remain in the Church at all costs. Sometimes, it is necessary to remove individuals from the Church because of the scandal that can be given by their obstinate behavior. Jesus gives the Church the authority to remove individuals from the ranks of the Church itself by imparting upon the disciples the authority to bind and loose sins on earth and in heaven.

The practice of fraternal correction assumes several factors. First, a sin has been committed and it can be identified. Second, a person of goodwill and moral rectitude comes forward to make the correction. Third, other persons and the Church must be willing to intervene if called upon. Fourth, the Church has the courage to remove a recalcitrant sinner from the ranks of the faithful until the sinner repents.

Clarity of thought, purity of intention and courage to take the right (and at times difficult) course of action will help sinners repent of their transgressions and lead souls to Christ. “In the end, action must be taken because all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” (Edmund Burke).

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Thank you, Father Magat. This article is priceless, especially in an election year. This article is going in my beat-’em-over-the-head file (just kidding, really).

laurak

My co-worker says that correcting someone is being judgemental. Only God knows whether a person has sinned and it isn’t my place to judge them. My family echos this same sentiment. There is no right or wrong anymore to a lot of people. Other people have tried to make me feel guilty for correcting them, even when it is a serious wrong doing. Thank you for this very clear cut article.

Cooky642

Laurak, Jesus does say not to judge, but He also commands us to be “fruit inspectors” (Matt. 7:17, Matt. 12:33). There’s a big difference between judging someone’s “fruit” (i.e., their words or actions–and always with charity since “there but for the grace of God….”) and judging their motives or the state of their soul. There’s a difference between my telling someone that I don’t buy produce at Wal-Mart (superstore) because it’s rotten every time I go, and telling someone I would never shop at Wal-Mart for anything because they sell rotten produce. See the difference?

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